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Water Polo thriller at Bondi

WATER POLO: Australia's men's water polo team, the Aussies Sharks, have come
from behind to score a thrilling 15-14 penalty shootout win over an
International All-Stars outfit in the Water Polo By The Sea event at iconic
Bondi Icebergs in Sydney.

In front of a bumper, celebrity packed crowd, the Sharks had to
fight hard to claim their third victory in the three years the glamour game has
been played.

With six Australian Olympians, Hungarian Olympic gold medallists
Istvan Gergely and Tamas Marcz along with Brazilian star Felipe Perrone in the
sun soaked pool the game was always set to be a wonderful spectacle – and so it
was with a draw at full time and a stunning shootout to decide the winner.

The action began in a flurry of goals for the International
All-Stars with a strike to Australia’s 2008 Olympian Anthony Martin and a pair
for Kiwi-turned Aussie giant Joe Kayes firing the mixed team to a 3-0 lead
within minutes.

In fact, it took almost six minutes before the Aussie Sharks
troubled the scorer themselves, but two quick goals saw them trail 2-3 at the
first break.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern and despite
impressive extraman goals to Australian dual Olympians Richie Campbell and Rhys
Howden, it was 6-4 to the All-Stars at halftime.

The Australians staged a spirited fight back in the third term,
with goals to teen Lachlan Edwards and London Olympians Billy Miller and Johnno
Cotterill bringing the score to a 7-7 deadlock - and ensuring a thrilling last
quarter.

Both sides scored two goals in the final period – both of
Australia’s to Younger, undoubtedly the player of the match, while Kayes
blasted his fourth and Perrone his first for the All Stars, to leave the scores
tied at 9-all and take the game to the penalty shootout.

In the first round of five penalties both sides scored four
goals but after Younger and captain Howden converted on their second time
through the rotation the pressure remained on the All Stars. When Serbian Milos
Vukicevic had his shot brilliantly saved by Aussie goalkeeper John Hahn the
match was over and victory went to the home side.

Younger, who was sensational at both ends of the pool for
Australia, said it was amazing to play in front of such a heaving crowd.

“It’s great to see the big crowd and giving spectators, that
might not normally get to see water polo, the chance to watch our sport,” the
Western Australian said.

“I was happy with my form but it was a team effort. Until
yesterday we hadn’t played together since last year’s world championships
in Barcelona so it was good to jump in with the boys and have a shoot around.”

For the International All-Stars, who carried six centre-forwards
in their extended 15-man squad, Kayes and goalkeeper Gergely were powerhouses.

The focus for the Aussie Sharks now turns towards Perth where they will take on Olympic champions Croatia on February 1.

Water Polo By The Sea is the concept of four-time Australian
Olympian Thomas Whalan and is designed to showcase the physicality, ruggedness
and sex appeal of the sport.